Acupuncture ‘eases’ cancer treatment side effects

Unconventional therapies, such as acupuncture and herbal treatment, can help relieve the side effects associated with cancer treatments and also prevent growth of cancer cells, an expert says.

Acupuncturist Dr. Aldrin Neilwan said that acupuncture was used to treat many illnesses and ailments but was mainly used to control pain, including cancer pain, and to help control nausea and vomiting.

“Acupuncture may relieve spikes in body temperature and other side effects of cancer treatments, as well as pain following surgery,” he said during his presentation at Dharmais Cancer Hospital in West Jakarta recently.

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. It typically incorporates the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine as an integral part of its practices and theories.

In the latest study, around 300 patients suffering from moderate to severe fatigue were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or electro acupuncture — in which a small electric current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles.

“The study participants felt better and had more energy after the acupuncture,” Aldrin told the audience, adding that it also enhanced the immune system and helped increase body weight, as well as reduce fever and symptoms caused by chemotherapy and other cancer therapies.

Aldrin said he had started the acupuncture treatment in Dharmais Hospital in early 2007 and could now treat around 100 patients per month.

“It costs Rp 130,000 (US$15) per patient per session,” Aldrin said.

He said that acupuncture therapy did not provide instant results; patients usually feel the results only after 10 to 12 treatment sessions.

Aldrin explained that acupuncture could boost energy levels and radically improve a patient’s quality of life, while herbal treatments could improve anti-oxidant reactions, enhance the immune system and improve fitness.

According to research by the Stemcell and Cancer Institute, the red betel leaf could be used to prevent the growth of cancer cells.

“But we haven’t tried it on patients yet. We are still conducting laboratory tests on cancer cells from patients,” Aldrin said. (drs)